March 6, 2002

Southern Arkansas Defeats Louisiana College

Pineville, La.-Breaking open a close game with five runs in the seventh inning, Southern Arkansas University ran their baseball record to 17-6 with an 11-5 win over Louisiana College here Wednesday. The Wildcats fell to 5-6 with the setback against Collegiate Baseball’s 13^th ranked team in NCAA Division II.

The Muleriders trailed after the ‘Cats scored in the second inning but SAU scored twice in the fourth inning and added another run in the sixth to lead 3-1 before their five-run outburst in the seventh. LC scored four times in the eighth to cut the margin to 8-5 but the ‘Riders added three more in the ninth to finish the scoring.

The ‘Riders took the lead for good in the fourth inning when Tracy Geffre hit a solo home run with one away. John Lenihan walked, George Stricker singled and Ric Prussing hit a sacrifice fly. SAU picked up one run in the sixth when Lenihan led off with a walk, Clayton Childers singled and Melvin Falu had an RBI single.

In the big seventh inning, Jason Arrowood led off with a double and Bobby Beeson drilled a two-run homer. Lenihan was hit by a pitch, Stricker walked and Childers had a two-run double. Falu then singled home the fifth run. Martin Gonzales followed with another single but Falu was thrown out at home plate to retire the side.

In the ninth, Stricker was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. With one down, Childers singled but Stricker was thrown out at third base for the second out. Childers advanced to third on a wild pitch and Gonzales unloaded a three-run homer.

SAU collected a lot of extra-base hits. Geffre, Beeson and Gonzales had home runs, Childers banged out two doubles and Arrowood and Beeson had doubles. Childers was four for six with two RBI’s and scored twice. Falu was three for four with two RBI’s and scored. Beeson was two for four, had two RBI’s and scored. Gonzalez was two for five, had three RBI’s and scored. Lenihan scored three times without a hit or an at-bat with two walks and getting hit by a pitch. Falu, Lenihan and Stricker had two base on balls each.

Brandon Buford pitched the first seven innings for SAU, scattering six hits, allowing one run, walking two and striking out a season-high 10 batters. Michael Brooks worked the eighth when LC scored four runs on three hits and two walks. He fanned two. Beeson came on to pitch the ninth and allowed no hits or runs, walked none and struck out the side, all going down swinging. Buford got the win to go to 3-0 for the year.

Luke Derouen was two for three for LC with a double and single and scored twice, Brandon Renfrow was two for three with a pair of doubles, had two RBI’s and scored, Craig Roberson had a triple and single and Duane Graham was one for three with a double and had an RBI.

Jeremy Johnson started for the ‘Cats and pitched the first two innings. Philip Luce relieved and went the next two innings when the ‘Riders took a 2-1 lead and would not trail again. LC used eight pitchers before it was over with Luce taking the loss. He is now 0-1.

SAU returns to Gulf South Conference play Saturday at Conway against the University of Central Arkansas, starting at 12 noon. Sunday’s completion of the three-game series begins at 1 p.m.